For the eighth straight year, Arizona’s poverty rate dropped in 2019. That’s according to new data released by the Census. It now sits at 13.5%, Cronkite News reports.

At the same time, we’ve seen the latest unemployment numbers in Arizona drop as well.

The latest stats show that the state’s jobless rate shrank by nearly 50% in August — to about 6%. But that came as the number of people looking for a job just gave up and dropped out of the workforce altogether.

With all of these numbers seemingly pointing at a hearty recovery for our state’s economy, things should be all looking up, right? But some like Jayson Matthews say not this isn't good news for everyone. 

Matthews is the vice president of community impact at Valley of the Sun United Way.

He said this is good news, but it’s leaving many at the bottom of the economic spectrum behind — and it’s been a long time coming. The Show spoke with him for more about why that is.

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